Leigh-Anne Pinnock delightedly shared snaps of Little Mix’s Madame Tussauds waxworks display on Wednesday to her Instagram – notably failing to include the model of former bandmate Jesy Nelson in the images.
She captioned the snaps, ‘Well it’s about time!’, proudly posting her own waxwork as well as the models of Perrie Edwards, 28, and Jade Thirlwall, 28.
Jesy, 30, was not featured – despite her being a part of the group at the famous London tourist attraction, which was commissioned prior to her leaving the group in December last year.
‘It’s about time!’ Leigh-Anne Pinnock delightedly shared snaps of Little Mix’s Madame Tussauds waxworks display on Wednesday to her Instagram – notably failing to include the model of former bandmate Jesy Nelson in the images
But fans of the group leapt to Leigh-Anne’s defense, suggesting that she was respecting Jesy’s wishes to not be part of the band anymore.
Jesy had opted to leave the group for her own wellbeing and for ‘privacy’ – another reason Leigh-Anne, 29, might have cropped her out.
‘Jesy left the goddam group, she didn’t want to speak of her friendship with little mix in interviews and they’re obvs not besties. Leave Leigh-Anne alone, her and Perrie and Jade have done nothing but be respectful for Jesy!’ came one impassioned tweet.
‘Right so Jesy leaves the girls and doesn’t want to be involved with what they do from the moment she left. Leigh-Anne posts on her IG story her waxworks along with Perrie & Jade’s waxworks. Now Leigh-Anne being slated for it!’ another penned.
Two out of four: She captioned the snaps, ‘Well it’s about time!’, proudly posting her own waxwork as well as the models of Perrie Edwards , 28, and Jade Thirlwall , 28
Missing: Jesy, 30, was not featured – despite her being a part of the group at the famous London tourist attraction, which was commissioned prior to her leaving the group in December last year
‘Respect the fact that jesy doesn’t want to be associated with the girls and leigh anne being respectful with it!’ another argued.
Another wrote: ‘Srsly guys, Leigh-Anne maybe didn’t do that intentionally, what was she supposed to do? Jesy left the band. Leigh-Anne is one of the cutest person in the world, the fact that someone unfollowed her just for this reason is so cringe!’
Another remarked that Jesy herself has not commented on her waxwork being erected, writing: ‘All this for some wax figures that jesy hasn’t even acknowledged ??? leigh-anne has done nothing wrong!’
Twitter storm: Fans weren’t letting those suggesting Leigh-Anne was throwing shade get away with it
Another sarcastically wrote: ‘How dare Leigh Anne respect that jesy isnt apart of little mix anymore. The audacity!’
Reacting to the idea of Leigh-Anne ‘throwing shade’ at Jesy, someone remarked: ‘Jesy hated the pressure of being compared to the other girls which is why she left and Leigh Anne is cropping her out so Jesy doesn’t get compared. What abt that screams shade?’
‘Enough is enough… can people please not go off and start disrespecting Leigh-Anne! Jesy decided to leave the band due to her mental health, please also remember when Jesy was in the band she asked the girls to not include her in posts, Leigh is still respecting Jesys decision!’ came another defiant tweet.
The Little Mix models all donned eye-catching stage outfits to recreate their iconic Bounce Back video released in 2019 for their waxworks display.
Stars: The Little Mix waxworks were unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London on Wednesday to mark the band’s 10th anniversary
Similar: The models all donned eye-catching stage outfits to recreate their iconic Bounce Back video released in 2019 (pictured in the real video)
The model of Jade wore a thigh-skimming neon green dress with bright pink fur sleeves and pink heels while Jesy’s model wore a pale blue corset and pink leopard print trousers.
The waxwork of Leigh-Anne had on a pink and white jacket and patterned black tights while Perrie’s model was dressed in a purple and yellow corset and white stockings.
When asked why they chose the Bounce Back look for their Madame Tussauds London figures, Jade said, ‘We loved making this video and the concept of us being doll-like within it, it felt like a very fitting scene to recreate for our figures!
Pictured: Jesy in the original music video
Iconic: The model of Jade (left) wore a thigh-skimming neon green dress with bright pink fur sleeves and pink heels (right she is pictured in the real video)
Radiant: Perrie’s model (left) was dressed in a purple and yellow corset and white stockings (right in the real video)
Style: The waxwork of Leigh-Anne (left) had on a pink and white jacket which was a perfect recreation of the outfit she wore in the video (right)
‘When I saw my finished figure it was like looking in a mirror, it’s amazing!’
Perrie added, ‘The Madame Tussauds London artists are fantastic, our figures are so lifelike that it really could be us standing in the attraction.
‘We’re so excited for our fans to see us in Madame Tussauds London and loved that some of them could be there to see the unveiling of the figures.’
Of getting their own likenesses, Leigh-Anne said, ‘This is a dream come true. The figures are amazing, and the Madame Tussauds London artists have captured us perfectly.
Finishing touches: Perrie’s waxwork had a glamorous makeup look that was being retouched
Iconic: The model of Jade wore green tinted glasses and bright hair clips while donning flawless makeup
Style: The waxwork of Leigh-Anne had its makeup retouched by one of the curators
Excited: When asked why they chose the Bounce Back look for their Madame Tussauds London figures, Jade said, ‘We loved making this video!’
Colourful: The models all donned eye-catching stage outfits which recreated their iconic Bounce Back video released in 2019
‘We’re so excited to be joining the attraction’s music zone and can’t wait to bring our family and friends down to see our figures for themselves.’
Tim Waters, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, said: ‘Fans have been asking when Little Mix will be joining us at Madame Tussauds London and we’re delighted to make their wishes come true as we celebrate the band’s 10th anniversary.
‘From their award-winning music, to inspiring the next generation, Little Mix have been a massive part of the past decade and long may that continue! We look forward to welcoming Mixers through our doors and can’t wait for them to come face to face with their idols.’
Fans: Lovers of the band took pictures with the models after they were unveiled on Wednesday
New direction: Jesy confirmed her permanent departure from the band last December, just weeks after revealing she was taking a temporary hiatus from all work commitments
Details: A curator makes the finishing touches to the display ahead of its opening
Success: Together the band sold over 60 million records, making them one of the biggest girl bands of all time
Jesy confirmed her permanent departure from the band last December, just weeks after revealing she was taking a temporary hiatus from all work commitments.
Her emotional statement read: ‘To all my Mixers, the past nine years in Little Mix has been the most incredible time of my life…
‘The truth is recently being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health. I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up to expectations very hard.
‘There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focusing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin that process.’
She has since been recording solo music after signing with a new global management firm.
Keeping busy: Jesy has since been recording solo music after signing with a new global management firm